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About The Georgia bulletin (Atlanta) 1963-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 19, 1987)
Page 4 • Faith Today CHILDREN'S STORY HOUR Gods servants Servant of By Janaan Manternach NC News Service G regory was born around 540 A.D. in Rome. His parents were rich and famous. Many members of his family had been senators. Two were popes and his mother, Sylvia, became a saint. Gregory became a law yer and dedicated himself to public ser vice. By the time he was 30, he was prefect of Rome. But Gregory longed for more time to study and pray. When his father died in 575, Gregory resigned from his powerful posi tion. He gave his fortune to the poor and turned his large home into a monastery. He lived as a monk, reading, praying, working quietly. He was very happy. Then the pope made Gregory his personal ambassador to the emperor at Constantinople. Gregory had to travel far from Rome and was again an important, busy public official. But what he wanted most was to be a monk. After six busy years Gregory returned to Rome and back to his monasterv. But he was so well known and loved in Rome that when the pope died in 590, Gregory was elected pope. Rome was in terrible danger at the time. People everywhere were dying of a deadly epidemic. Gregory acted quickly to help the sick and dying. At the same time, armies were marching against Rome. The emperor was unable to send help. So the new pope led the defense of the city and saved it and all Italy. People now looked to Gregory as their ruler as well as their pope. This became a step in the creation of the papal states which we now call the Vatican. Pope Gregory taught that the pope was the successor of the apostle Peter as head of the church. His decisions and actions had an impact on the church and on governments all over the know n w'orld. He took a special interest in church wmrship or liturgy. Pope Gregory insisted that bishops and priests preach homilies at Mass. He wanted them to help people understand the Bible and how it related to their lives. He preached to the people each Sunday. His work to improve church music led to the creation of Gregorian Chant. Pope Gregory also put the prayer, “Lord Have Mercy,” into the Eucharist. Pope Gregory fed the hungry and housed the homeless. He made sure people were treated justly. He used his great talents and powder to serve, calling himself the “servant of the ser vants of God.” Popes still use the title today. Gregory died in 604. He was so important that people call him Pope Gregory the Great and celebrate his feast on Sept. 3- (Ms. Manternach is the author of catechetical works, scripture stories and original stories for children.) Help others while you help yourself An Extension Charitable Gift Annui ty offers a unique opportunity to help yourself as you help home missioners bring the Faith to the most isolated and impoverished regions of our nation. Consider these benefits: Financial Security Our plan assures you of a fixed income for the rest of your life. Tax Advantages Besides an initial charitable contribution deduction, a portion of your annual income is tax free. Maximum Safety Extension has never missed a payment — even during the Great Depression. High Yield The older you are, the higher the rate of return. You may also designate a loved one as a beneficiary, or defer your pay ments for a better rate. Send today for no-obligation details on how you can help others and yourself through an Extension Annuity. The Catholic Church EXTENSION Socety 35 East Wacker Drive • Chicago. Illinois 60601 FT 0907 Dear Father Slattery: Please send me information on Extension’s Charitable Gift Annuities. Rev./Sr./Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms. Address City State Zip Birthdate / / Phone ( ) This information will be kept strictly confidential Missing Vowels Fill in the vowels in the phrases below. All of the phrases are contained in this week's children's story. 1. Th n th P_p_ m d Gr g ry h_s p rs n 1 mb ss d r t th mp r r. 2. ft r s x b sy y rs Gr g ry r—t—rn—d t R m 3. H w nt d th m t h lp p pi— nd rst nd th B bl 4. H s w rk t mpr v ch rch m s c 1 d t th cr t n f Gr g r n Ch—nt. 5. P p Gr g ry f d th h ngry nd h s d th h m 1 ss. ssapuioq aip pasnoq pun AiSunq aqi paj AaoSajQ adoj g tutjq3 ueuoSajQ jo uoqea-ia aqq or pa| otsnui qa-tnqo aAOjduit o; qJOM sijj > aiqtg aqi puBt)s -aapun ajdoad d[aq or uiaqr pafUBM ajq '8 'sruog or pauanraa AioSajQ SJB3A A'snq xts jarjy z Moraduia aqr or JopBSseq -uie jBuosjad siq AjoSa-iQ apBtu adod aqr uaqx T isaa/ASuy HOW ABOUT YOU? □ Imagine Gregory turning his large home into a monastery. Why did he do that? Children's Reading Corner Sometimes life's events are so ordinary that they pass by hardly noticed, barely felt. Other times events are significant enough to make us courageous or fearful, joyful or sad. In A Brown Bird Singing, by Frances Wosmek, 9-year-old Anego has been living with close friends of her father and deceased mother. Anego loves her foster family and fears the possibility of her father’s return and having to leave them. What happens when her father returns is an exquisite ex perience for her and those she loves. (Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books, 105 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016. 1986. Hardback, $10.25.)
